Method of using a cervical orthosis

Abstract

A cervical orthosis is provided which supports the weight of the head with a chin support having a pair of transverse members extending rearward from the chin support to the wearer's shoulder. The transverse members are joined at the shoulder to a pair of vertical members which travel down the wearer's back. The orthosis is secured to the wearer a belt attached to the lower ends of the transverse member which is fastened about the wearer's torso. In a preferred embodiment the orthosis is formed of one continuous piece of a suitably rigid material and conforms to the contours of the wearer's body. A method of forming a customized orthosis to conform to the contours of a wearer positioned in a desired posture is also provided. An embodiment which is preferable for production by vacuum forming is disclosed. A method of using the apparatus for incrementally adjusting the position of a patient's head or the curvature of a patient's spine is disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of controlling the position of the body of a patient in the area of the patient's head, neck, and spine, comprising the steps of: a) providing a cervical orthosis which comprises: a chin support having a chin supporting surface;   at least one rigid transverse member extending rearward from said chin support, and being adapted to reach to and make contact with the wearer's shoulder;   at least one rigid vertical member extending downward from the rearward end of said transverse member; and   a belt, capable of being securely fastened about the torso of the wearer, disposed at the lower end of said vertical member; and,     b) placing said orthosis upon the body of said patient such that said patient's chin rests upon said chin support and said belt is fastened about said patient's torso, said orthosis thereby acting as a lever pivoted at said patient's shoulders.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing said orthosis comprises the steps of: a) positioning the patient in a predetermined posture to which the orthosis is intended to conform;   b) creating a cast of the contours of at least the patient's back, shoulder, and lower jaw regions while the wearer is positioned in said desired posture;   c) creating from said cast a model of the contours of the body parts of the patient to which the orthosis is intended to conform;   d) forming a single continuous piece of a rigid material around said model which conforms to the contours of said model, said continuous piece of rigid material covering enough of said model to include the entirety of said orthosis;   e) removing said continuous piece of rigid material from said model; and   f) trimming said continuous piece of rigid material as necessary to yield said orthosis.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing said orthosis comprises the steps of: a) providing an upper piece of said orthosis having a chin support and transverse members;   b) providing a back piece of said orthosis having a vertical member and transverse members; and   c) joining said transverse members of said upper piece to said transverse members of said back piece.   
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, wherein said orthosis is formed of a material of a suitable temperature and stiffness, whereby said orthosis may be heated and reshaped. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 2, wherein said orthosis is formed of a material of a suitable temperature and stiffness, whereby said orthosis may be heated and reshaped. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 3, wherein said orthosis is formed of a material of a suitable temperature and stiffness, whereby said orthosis may be heated and reshaped. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 4, comprising the further step of: increasing the angle between said vertical member and said transverse member in predetermined increments over time, thereby incrementally raising the position of said patient's head in relation to said patient's shoulders.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 4, comprising the further step of: adjusting the curvature of the vertical member in predetermined increments over time, thereby incrementally changing the curvature of the patient's spine.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 5, comprising the further step of: increasing the angle between said vertical member and said transverse member in predetermined increments over time, thereby incrementally raising the position of said patient's head in relation to said patient's shoulders.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 5, comprising the further step of: adjusting the curvature of the vertical member in predetermined increments over time, thereby incrementally changing the curvature of the patient's spine.   
     
     
       11. The method of claim 6, comprising the further step of: increasing the angle between said vertical member and said transverse member in predetermined increments over time, thereby incrementally raising the position of said patient's head in relation to said patient's shoulders.   
     
     
       12. The method of claim 6, comprising the further step of: adjusting the curvature of the vertical member in predetermined increments over time, thereby incrementally changing the curvature of the patient's spine.